Any story behind them?
Lets be honest - if I had to name favourite things from my childhood right at the top of the list would be - Wrestling, Back to the Future, Football - and well - the latest topic in my Adventures in Collecting - Thundercats! It was without a doubt one of the most thrilling cartoon series you could watch as a kid - and the theme music literally sticks in your head like you wouldn’t believe.

Now - it goes without saying the younger me had all the action figures from the series -however unlike most of the items I own these ones sadly made their way to the car boot before I even got the chance to hold onto them.

Skip forward a number of years to the present day and me stood in a discount store in utter disbelief that the latest offering from Bandai was sat - available - for just 99p a figure - my girlfriend knew exactly what was coming next - the words ‘grab another basket……….’

What exactly are they?
The latest Thundercats action figures - I picked up £30 worth of figures to keep - and I think I managed to get one of each (unless someone can tell me who I am missing)

Are they Rare?
Currently not - however give them time and they will be. I have no issues holding onto these - 99p per figure is a gamble well worth taking as values could soar in the coming years - and if not 99p isn’t the end of the world - and they are cool to look at!

Will they be back?
They are still current now following a new cartoon revamp in 2011 - however Thundercats fans are waiting to see if a second series of the new updated cartoon will be commissioned. The figures are still available in stores to purchase.

Where can I get one now?
Check local comic shops, well known auction sites and even discount stores - literally anywhere that may sell action figures!

And Finally
I have paid a visit to various branches of the discount shop since I picked up the original figures this article was based upon - and except for a few Lion-O’s I haven’t seen them at such a cheap price since……..

Any story behind it?
Last year I was fortunate to be at the opening day of ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ at The Warner Bros Studios - never one to miss the chance to snap up a collectable I was keen to purchase something limited but fairly inexpensive - the outcome was this fantastic piece of artwork on a limited print run with COA.
However that’s not all - as it was the opening day members of the cast were walking the red carpet - and I was lucky enough to get Rupert ‘Ron Weasley’ Grint and Tom ‘Draco Malfoy’ Felton to sign it for me.

What exactly is it?
A mentioned above it’s a limited edition piece of artwork commissioned to be sold at ‘The Making of Harry Potter’ The picture itself depicts Gringotts Bank - a key location in some of the films. The piece is numbered #101 / 1000.

Is it Rare?
1/1000 - for sure! I haven’t been able to visit the studios since the opening day however as an item to keep I would imagine Harry Potter fans will have snapped these up.

Will it be back?
I would doubt it - sure there will be other ones but the 1/1000 tag should be all that is needed on this particular piece. I haven’t seen another one since.

Where can I get one now?
I’ve scanned well known auction sites and googled to find another but so far nothing - so short of a trip to the Warner Bros studios I don’t know if this particular piece can be purchased anymore?

And Finally
Both Rupert Grint and Tom Felton stated how much they liked the item - the main problem I have now is actually what to do with it!! The signatures are actually on the plastic which is tragic as I wish now I has opened it for them to sign instead!!

I would be very keen to hear if anyone else has purchased any of the Making of Harry Potter artwork - comment below if you have!

Firstly can I just say thank you to all those who contacted me asking when my blog was going to be back - I actually didn’t realise that people read this stuff so I will happily continue to write about my ‘Adventures in Collecting’.

Tonight’s blog is all about a collecting line that is very close to my heart -

WWF Hasbro wrestling figures

But in particular one figure - the one that started my passion for collecting this wonderful line

Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake

Some of you will know that I run the website www.thewrestlingcollector.com - it had a major overhaul last summer and I am currently in the process of updating it as all the old information was sadly wiped when the revamp took place.

The article tonight is centred not around one of the various 2-ups, prototypes or test shots I have uncovered - infact its quite the opposite.
It all about the regular release Series 1 Brutus The Barber Beefcake figure.

Any story behind it?
As it turns out yes. Turn the clock back to 1990 - and a 9 year old version of myself - a massive fan of WWF Wrestling (now WWE) - gets given a present…… what is it? Only a WWF Hasbro action figure - all the way from America.

Now - as it turns out this would be the first of many I got - the line actually hit the shelves in the UK shortly after I was given my Brutus figure - but still - for a short while I was the envy of the playground - once others got figures we’d have Royal Rumbles and matches in a homemade ring (until one of us got the Official Hasbro one) hence the battered appearance of this figure.

What is it?
Its as simple as it sounds - its just a regular Series 1 WWF Hasbro Brutus the Barber Beefcake figure.

Is it rare?
Brutus is anything but rare - he was mass produced however its worth noting that some Hasbro figures are more in demand than others (Such as the Green Card Series) so prices can be high on those as they are harder to find.

The prototypes, 2ups and test shots from the Hasbro line command huge prices in the secondary market.

Brutus can be found now for a couple of pounds and this particular one given his condition wouldn’t even get that much!

Will this figure be back?
Sadly not! The Hasbro / WWF contract ended in 1994 so no more WWF Hasbro figures will be made.

Where can I get him now?
Internet auction sites and car boots are probably your best bet for all your Hasbro related needs.

And another thing
The WWF Hasbro line is arguably the most collectable wrestling figure line ever produced. 20 years on the figures still sell and prove massively collectable with fans of all ages.

Its hard to see the demand for this line falling in the foreseeable future - if anything we encourage people to get involved in collecting this legendary line.

I have plans to do a big article on the WWF Hasbro line so watch this space. For now you'll have to make do with photos of my first ever WWF Hasbro figure - the legendary Brutus Beefcake.